Winter has come, the wall has been breached, the line of defence has become thinner and those who are brave are systematically set aside. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." [Interjections.] Now is the time for those of us who are still here to work together, to make a real difference with real plans. Now is not the time for mere dreams. We dare not allow ourselves to be silenced for our work is far from over. We have as our sword the mighty Constitution and we have as our shield our brave and incorruptible Judiciary. [Interjections.]
Now is not the time to accept the excuse that those implicated are innocent until proven guilty. Now is the time to ensure that our oversight is in fact strengthened. This is a direct instruction from Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. We can start this actual oversight in the Presidency in the form of a portfolio committee to oversee Vote 1 as requested - I may add, numerous times by the hon Steenhuisen in the Rules Committee.
Now is the time to sit down as fellow South Africans and not just dream of the future we want, but to actually create the environment we so desperately require for our economy to grow and succeed. It cannot be that state capture that is now estimated to have wiped out a third of South Africa's R4,9 trillion gross domestic product, GDP, no longer exists, but we are expected to celebrate the frontloading of R230 billion rand to Eskom. Mr President, Denel has no money this month to pay the salaries - this is it. We have hit rock bottom!
Our state-owned entities are broken. They are destroyed, and they are archaic in their design. They are destroying our country's economy and they are making living in South Africa a
nightmare and not a dream. We are at the cliff's edge, the dream has faded, and the reality is a horror. Doing the right thing is not easy, speaking truth to power is hard, but let us now bite the bullet and put a stop to the misuse of our state-owned entities for political gain.
Speaker, the President himself has said he wants us working together. Mr President, give us the opportunity to do just that; give our ideas a chance. Let us put South Africa first.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Hinds, and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charge with punishment the scroll.
Speaker, through you, allow me to end as I began. Mr President, now is the time to steel your resolve, you are the master of your fate and you are the captain of your soul. [Applause.]